Denmark to Join France and Britain in Voting on Recognition of Palestinian State

Denmark is set to join other European countries in voting on a symbolic resolution calling for the recognition of the state of Palestine.

According to the EU Observer, the motion was proposed by three small left-wing Danish parties: the Red-Green Alliance; the Socialist People's Party; and Greenland's Inuit Ataqatigiit.

"The parliament directs the government to recognise Palestine as an independent and sovereign state within pre-1967 borders and, by extension, provide the state of Palestine with full diplomatic rights," says the draft text of the resolution.

Denmark's foreign minister, Martin Lidegaard, said that the timing may not be perfect but the vote was necessary as negotiations between the two sides had garnered no progress.

"The positions of member states are evolving. This, in my view, makes sense as the peace process is not showing any progress," he said. "Denmark will also come to recognise Palestine, but the timing has to be right."

He added that Israel should be punished by the European Union for the continued building of settlements on Palestinian land.

"Israel continues to, unacceptably, expand the illegal settlements and thus de facto undermines the possibilities for a two-state solution," he said.

"The chances of bringing together the EU and actually influencing the conflict would be greater if we consider further action against the settlements."

One of the politicians who proposed the resolution, Socialist Holger Nielsen, said that the vote would stir debate in the country despite the low chances of a majority.

"I don't think we'll get a majority, but at least we'll have a good discussion," he said.

In response to the vote, a spokeswoman at Israel's European Union embassy said that it only sends the message that "negotiations are futile".

Earlier this month, Sweden officially recognised the state of Palestine while Britain and Spain have held symbolic votes and France has one scheduled for 2 December.